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Congress Starts Firestone Probe
What Did Company Know?
By TOM SHARP
.c The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 28) - Congressional investigators went to Bridgestone/Firestone headquarters Monday to quiz executives on their handling of safety problems with their tires.
The congressional aides are preparing for hearings in Washington next month that will examine the recall of 6.5 million Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires.
The recall came after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating reports of 62 deaths and more than 100 injuries in crashes that could be connected to the 15-inch tires.
The tires were standard equipment on Ford trucks and sport utility vehicles, especially the Explorer.
``We intend to ask Firestone the tough questions the (House) Commerce Committee and the American people are demanding the answers to,'' committee staffer Tom DiLenge said before entering Bridgestone/Firestone's headquarters Monday.
``What did Firestone know? Did Firestone act soon enough, and did Firestone's actions go far enough to ensure the safety of the American public?''
Firestone spokesman Ken Fields said the company will cooperate fully with government inspectors.
``We are prepared to answer any questions they have,'' he said.
Seven people arrived in vans at the company's suburban Nashville headquarters. DiLenge did not say how long the investigators planned to remain in Nashville.
Committee investigators visited Ford Motor Co. headquarters at Dearborn, Mich., on Friday to ask its executives similar questions.
DiLenge declined to discuss their findings at Ford, but called the company helpful.
Bridgestone/Firestone announced the recall Aug. 9 and the company says it has already replaced 1 million tires.
The company's U.S. tire plants have increased production by 7,000 tires daily to meet the replacement demand, the company said. Manufacturing plants at Japan also are air shipping thousands of replacements tires, and the company has asked for competitors' help in meeting replacement demand.
The company announced Friday it has hired a tire expert to conduct an independent analysis of the types of tires involved in the accidents.
Attorneys and consumer advocacy groups, who contend Bridgestone/Firestone knew about the tire problems years ago, are pressuring the company to broaden the recall.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Venezuelan authorities are expected to submit a report to the country's attorney general on Tuesday that could led to criminal prosecution of Ford and Firestone for accidents in that country. A hefty fine also was to be announced, the newspaper said. And USA Today reported that an expanded recall of Venezuelan tires was to be announced.
A Texas judge has ordered Bridgestone/Firestone chief executive officer Masatoshi Ono to testify Sept. 15 in the case of a couple killed in May last year when their Ford Explorer, equipped with Firestone ATX tires, overturned.
What Did Company Know?
By TOM SHARP
.c The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 28) - Congressional investigators went to Bridgestone/Firestone headquarters Monday to quiz executives on their handling of safety problems with their tires.
The congressional aides are preparing for hearings in Washington next month that will examine the recall of 6.5 million Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires.
The recall came after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating reports of 62 deaths and more than 100 injuries in crashes that could be connected to the 15-inch tires.
The tires were standard equipment on Ford trucks and sport utility vehicles, especially the Explorer.
``We intend to ask Firestone the tough questions the (House) Commerce Committee and the American people are demanding the answers to,'' committee staffer Tom DiLenge said before entering Bridgestone/Firestone's headquarters Monday.
``What did Firestone know? Did Firestone act soon enough, and did Firestone's actions go far enough to ensure the safety of the American public?''
Firestone spokesman Ken Fields said the company will cooperate fully with government inspectors.
``We are prepared to answer any questions they have,'' he said.
Seven people arrived in vans at the company's suburban Nashville headquarters. DiLenge did not say how long the investigators planned to remain in Nashville.
Committee investigators visited Ford Motor Co. headquarters at Dearborn, Mich., on Friday to ask its executives similar questions.
DiLenge declined to discuss their findings at Ford, but called the company helpful.
Bridgestone/Firestone announced the recall Aug. 9 and the company says it has already replaced 1 million tires.
The company's U.S. tire plants have increased production by 7,000 tires daily to meet the replacement demand, the company said. Manufacturing plants at Japan also are air shipping thousands of replacements tires, and the company has asked for competitors' help in meeting replacement demand.
The company announced Friday it has hired a tire expert to conduct an independent analysis of the types of tires involved in the accidents.
Attorneys and consumer advocacy groups, who contend Bridgestone/Firestone knew about the tire problems years ago, are pressuring the company to broaden the recall.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Venezuelan authorities are expected to submit a report to the country's attorney general on Tuesday that could led to criminal prosecution of Ford and Firestone for accidents in that country. A hefty fine also was to be announced, the newspaper said. And USA Today reported that an expanded recall of Venezuelan tires was to be announced.
A Texas judge has ordered Bridgestone/Firestone chief executive officer Masatoshi Ono to testify Sept. 15 in the case of a couple killed in May last year when their Ford Explorer, equipped with Firestone ATX tires, overturned.
